Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2009 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[2009 Coronado Speed Festival, the 12th annual race at the base]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/09/28/2009-coronado-speed-festival-the-12th-annual-race-at-the-base/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/09/28/2009-coronado-speed-festival-the-12th-annual-race-at-the-base/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/09/28/2009-coronado-speed-festival-the-12th-annual-race-at-the-base/#commentsFiled under: ,


2009 Coronado Speed Festival - Click above for high-res image gallery

Ever since we first attended the Coronado Speed Festival, we've made sure to mark our calendars and set aside the weekend every year for the annual vintage races in San Diego, CA. The sunny skies, the cool ocean breezes, and dozens of classic sports cars make for a fantastic combination that's more than worth the two hour drive from Los Angeles.

This year, the responsibility for handling the event was given to the Historic Motor Sports Association (HMSA), an organization that encourages the restoration, preservation and use of historic sports and racing cars. For the most part, the event was the same, but the lineup of cars did see a few changes.

Some of our favorites from previous years, the Ferrari 250TR and Aston Martin DBR2 ,were sorely absent, but a Historic NASCAR class brought out some of the most legendary stock cars to battle it out on the road course. On-track entertainment was also provided by the Shelby Mustangs, Corvettes, and a beautiful Bizzarrini 5300 GT Corsa in the 1962-1966 Production Cars over 2000cc, the legendary muscle cars in the 1966-1972 Trans-Am class, as well as racecars in the seven other groups. Browse through the high-res gallery below to find your favorites.


Gallery: 2009 Coronado Speed Festival


Photos copyright (C)2009 Drew Phillips / Weblogs, Inc.

2009 Coronado Speed Festival, the 12th annual race at the base originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 28 Sep 2009 16:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2009 Coronado Speed Festival2009CoronadoSpeedFestivalcoronadoCoronado Speed FestivalCoronadoSpeedFestivalHMSAspeed festivalSpeedFestivalvintage racevintage racingVintageRaceVintageRacingMon, 28 Sep 2009 16:55:00 EST<![CDATA[Monterey 2009: Vintage racers exude speed even at rest]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/08/19/monterey-2009-vintage-racers-exude-speed-even-at-rest/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/08/19/monterey-2009-vintage-racers-exude-speed-even-at-rest/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/08/19/monterey-2009-vintage-racers-exude-speed-even-at-rest/#commentsFiled under: , ,


Monterey Historic Automobile Races paddock - Click above for high-res image gallery

Even though it's essentially run just for fun, the track action at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca can be downright menacing during the Monterey Historic Automobile Races. Just ask the Ferrari 250 Testa Rossa driver who had a severe pucker moment on Saturday. Sure, the cars survived relatively unscathed, but some drivers may probably going to have second thoughts come Monterey 2010.

Given our current economic and environmental attitudes, it is conceivable (if unlikely) that historic racing might not last far into the next decade. What a pity it would be for vintage racing to go away, but quite honestly, this event could easily continue as nothing more then a classic motorsports car show. The cars themselves certainly draw more than flies - and even at rest, they look so amazingly fast and stylish that simply touring the paddock can be enough entertainment for all but the most jaded fan.

Just by strolling around the paddock you can see, feel, taste and hear things that will instantly elicit a smile every time the memory rises in your brain. While working our way around the infield on Saturday we came across dozens of cars, bikes, and people that left us in awe... but even so, we still hope that the racing continues, if only for the noise and added visuals.


Gallery: 2009 Monterey Historic Automobile Races paddock walk


Photos copyright (C)2009 Frank Filipponio / Weblogs, Inc.

Monterey 2009: Vintage racers exude speed even at rest originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 19 Aug 2009 17:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Bentley racecars at the 2009 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance - Click above for high-res image gallery

When they pick a featured marque at the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance, they really go big. For instance, all of the Ferrari TR59 race cars ever made were gathered together this year.

For Bentley's racing class, the organizers managed to corral the largest gathering of historic Bentleys ever in one place at one time. Reaching all the way back to the 1922 Bentley 3-Litre Park Ward Tourer that finished fourth at the inaugural Le Mans 24 Hour Race, the display included memorable sports cars all the way up to the 2003 Bentley Speed 8 that led a Bentley 1-2 in the fabled French endurance race. There were 3-liter cars, 4-1/4-liter cars, and 4-1/2- liter cars, Blowers and Speed Sixes. Altogether, there were 13 cars in class, plus another 26 in the various other classes, and of course the debut of the new Bentley Mulsanne as well. For lovers of all things Coventry, it was pure nirvana. Check out our high-res gallery below.


Gallery: Bentley Racecars at Pebble Beach


Photos copyright (C)2009 Drew Phillips / Weblogs, Inc.

Monterey 2009: Bentley racecars gather at Pebble Beach originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 18 Aug 2009 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bentleymonterey 2009Monterey2009mulsannepebble beachPebbleBeachvintage racevintage racecarsvintage racingVintageRaceVintageRacecarsVintageRacingTue, 18 Aug 2009 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Monterey 2009: 145 vintage Porsches take to the track]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/08/18/monterey-2009-145-vintage-porsches-take-to-the-track/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/08/18/monterey-2009-145-vintage-porsches-take-to-the-track/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/08/18/monterey-2009-145-vintage-porsches-take-to-the-track/#commentsFiled under: , ,


Porsches at the 2009 Monterey Historics - Click above for high-res image gallery

From the second we arrived in Monterey last week, we noticed one thing: there were Porsches everywhere. From the fleet of 30 Panameras that Porsche brought out, to the hundreds of owners that made the trip to Northern California, we couldn't seem to drive for more than a few seconds without passing one. The epicenter of the Porsche party, though, was at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca for the vintage races.

Named as the featured marque for 2009, Porsches made up nearly one third of the competitors and made up most of the field for groups like the 1964-1971 FIA Mfg. Championship Cars and the 1981-1990 IMSA GTP & FIA Mfg. Championship Cars that were packed with Porsche 906s, 908s, 917s, 956s, and 962s. We also enjoyed seeing the earlier models like the trio of 1960 RS-60s, a couple 550 Spyders, all the 356s, and the oldest Porsche on the track, a 1949 Porsche 356 SL. Even some of the display cars like a 1998 GT1 that raced at Le Mans were able to get on track during some parade laps that honored the late Bob Carlson, the former PR director for Porsche NA, and Bob Snodgrass, a principal for the Brumos racing team.

We've compiled all of our Porsche photos from our day at the track in the high-res gallery below, complete with descriptions for each one in case you aren't familiar with the car. Enjoy!


Gallery: Porsches at the 2009 Monterey Historics

Porsche Parade Laps at Laguna Seca1969 Porsche 917K1982 Porsche 9561955-1961 GT Cars under 2200cc1960 Porsche RS-60

Photos copyright (C)2009 Drew Phillips / Weblogs, Inc.

Monterey 2009: 145 vintage Porsches take to the track originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 18 Aug 2009 11:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2009 Monterey Historic Automobile Races2009 Monterey Historics2009MontereyHistoricAutomobileRaces2009MontereyHistoricslaguna secaLagunaSecamontereyMonterey 2009Monterey Historic Automobile RacesMonterey HistoricsMonterey2009MontereyHistoricAutomobileRacesMontereyHistoricspebble beachPebbleBeachporschePorsches at Monterey HistoricsPorschesAtMontereyHistoricsvintage racingVintageRacingTue, 18 Aug 2009 11:20:00 EST<![CDATA[eBay Find of the Day: Vintage Racecar Collection]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/01/03/ebay-find-of-the-day-vintage-racecar-collection/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/01/03/ebay-find-of-the-day-vintage-racecar-collection/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/01/03/ebay-find-of-the-day-vintage-racecar-collection/#commentsFiled under: , ,



Of course we're checking the couch in the editors lounge for spare change, it's only natural when an impeccable collection of vintage race cars goes on the block. We've found 63 cents so far; if we can avoid the siren song of a Milky Way when we fuel up, we're well on our way to the $855,000 price for this package deal. Chuck Fausel is retiring, and his impressive stable of vintage racers is up for sale, either individually or as a collection. The newest car is a NASCAR veteran from the 1990s, and the oldest is a 1920 Model T fitted with a Rajo overhead valve conversion. The provenance and history of the cars is fascinating and genuine, unlike some of the other schlock you see on eBay. We'd gas 'em up and go off to shred some tires, but you could also build a viewing hall around them and charge admission.

Gallery: Vintage Race Car Collection


[Source: eBay]

eBay Find of the Day: Vintage Racecar Collection originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 03 Jan 2009 18:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>car collectionCarCollectionchuck fauselChuckFauselrace carrace carsrace cars for saleRaceCarRaceCarsRaceCarsForSalevintage race carvintage racervintage racersvintage racingVintageRaceCarVintageRacerVintageRacersVintageRacingSat, 03 Jan 2009 18:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Race at the base: 2008 Coronado Speed Festival ]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/09/29/race-at-the-base-2008-coronado-speed-festival/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/09/29/race-at-the-base-2008-coronado-speed-festival/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/09/29/race-at-the-base-2008-coronado-speed-festival/#commentsFiled under: ,


Click above for high-res gallery of the 2008 Coronado Speed Festival

Every autumn the naval base on Coronado island in San Diego plays host to dozens of vintage car racers for a festival of speed as part of Fleet Week, the largest military appreciation event in the country. The runways are a natural asphalt playground, and the Southern California weather never fails to provide plenty of sunshine. Nine separate classes of cars run throughout the weekend, from Pre-1941 Sports and Racing cars all the way to 1966-1972 Historic Trans-Am cars. Our particular favorite were the 1955-1960 Sports Racing cars that included a stunning 1957 Ferrari 250 TR, a pair of Jaguar D-Types, Maserati T-61 Birdcage, and a beautiful Aston Martin DBR-2. Spectators could also take tours of the pit area, browse the Meguiar's car club corral, take Naval ship tours, and explore a display of modern military vehicles and planes. We didn't stray much from the track, however, so that we could bring you plenty of photos of all the different groups of cars. You can check out the pictures, all available in high resolution, in the gallery below.

Gallery: 2008 Coronado Speed Festival


All photos Copyright (C)2008 Drew Phillips / Weblogs, Inc.

Race at the base: 2008 Coronado Speed Festival originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 29 Sep 2008 14:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2008 Coronado Speed Festival2008CoronadoSpeedFestivalCoronado Speed FestivalCoronadoSpeedFestivalFleet WeekFleetWeekVintage RacingVintageRacingMon, 29 Sep 2008 14:57:00 EST<![CDATA[BMW unveils stunning Mille Miglia Concept Coupe]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/05/11/bmw-unveils-mille-miglia-concept-coupe/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/05/11/bmw-unveils-mille-miglia-concept-coupe/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/05/11/bmw-unveils-mille-miglia-concept-coupe/#commentsFiled under: , , ,



As the 2006 edition of the Mille Miglia historic auto race prepares to kick off, BMW has unveiled this stunning concept car to commemorate its involvement with the classic road races.

The BMW Concept Coupe Mille Miglia 2006 evokes the lines of the classic BMW 328 Mille Miglia Touring Coupe, which won the Mille Miglia in 1940. The Touring Coupe reasserted its mastery of the classic road race in 2004, when it claimed victory in the Mille Miglia storica - the reincarnation of the event for historic racing cars.

The carbon fiber bodywork of the Concept Coupe is a modern aerodynamic interpretation of the aluminum-bodied Touring Coupe, and wraps around the capable chassis and drivetrain of the BMW Z4 M Coupe.

The  Mille Miglia Concept Coupe is a pure styling exercise - BMW has no plans for a production version.

The BMW press release follows the jump, with lots of pictures of this unique car.

Continue reading BMW unveils stunning Mille Miglia Concept Coupe

BMW unveils stunning Mille Miglia Concept Coupe originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 11 May 2006 14:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bmw 328bmw concept coupehistoric auto racinghistoric racingmille migliamille miglia concept coupemille miglia storicaMilleMigliavintage racingThu, 11 May 2006 14:29:00 EST